Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to change venue rules for juveniles charged with specific repeat offenses. It creates a presumption that venue (the county where a case is heard) must be in the county where the complaint was filed for juveniles previously adjudicated delinquent for theft or unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, carjacking, or burglary with intent to steal a vehicle. The change applies only to juveniles with prior adjudications for these exact offenses. Currently, venue typically defaults to the juvenile's county of domicile unless the court finds good cause to keep it elsewhere. This adjustment streamlines proceedings for these repeat juvenile offenders in the filing county.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for future teachers. It provides eligible students up to $7,200 per semester for full-time clinical practice (the final teaching internship) in approved teacher preparation programs at New Jersey institutions. To qualify, students must be NJ residents enrolled full-time in an approved program and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program requires annual data collection on participants' demographics and program experiences, with funding to be appropriated annually by the legislature. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Economic Emergency Investment Stabilization Program," allowing New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to make equity investments in businesses significantly impacted by major economic emergencies. It directly affects New Jersey-based businesses that meet strict criteria, including physical presence in the state, majority NJ-based employees, and pre-emergency financial stability. The EDA will match private investments dollar-for-dollar (up to a set limit), using funds from the existing Economic Recovery Fund, with the goal of exiting investments within 1-10 years after the emergency ends. The program requires businesses to demonstrate recovery potential to avoid losses when the EDA sells its stake.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3308) requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to hire additional staff to reduce backlogs in processing professional license applications and renewals. It appropriates $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 specifically for this purpose, directly affecting applicants and professionals in regulated fields like healthcare, engineering, and cosmetology. Key mechanisms include prioritizing staff hiring to clear backlogs and mandating annual reports detailing staffing changes, initial and final backlog numbers, and spending details. The bill aims to improve license processing efficiency for economic development and consumer protection without changing licensing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create an electronic system for salvage processors to handle salvage certificates of title. It directly affects insurers, salvage processors, and vehicle owners when a car is totaled and the owner fails to transfer the title within 30 days of an insurance payout. Key provisions include mandating electronic applications, requiring insurers to send 30-day written notice to owners and lienholders before applying, and specifying proof needed (like payment records and proof of notice) for the MVC to issue a salvage title in the insurer's name. The change streamlines the process for insurers to legally transfer totaled vehicles without physical title documents.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides a $1,000 annual deduction from state gross income for eligible volunteer firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members. To qualify, volunteers must serve the entire tax year and meet specific service thresholds: firefighters need 60% attendance at alarms/drills plus Firefighter I certification, while first aid/rescue members need 10% attendance at alarms/drills plus approved training or EMT certification. Fire and rescue departments must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state health and community affairs agencies for verification. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a formal structure for recruiting scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals with PhDs. It requires appointing a minimum of four fellows annually - two to work with the New Jersey Legislature (in specified offices) and two with the Executive Branch - to provide expert analysis on policy issues. The bill appropriates $360,000 for initial program costs and mandates annual funding of $520,000 starting in fiscal year 2025 to cover fellow stipends, benefits, and administrative expenses. Fellows, designated as "John Weingart Science Fellows," serve full-time for one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State and private correctional facilities to allow inmates to make telephone and video calls at no cost to either the inmate or the recipient. It amends existing law to eliminate all charges, including per-minute fees, surcharges, or account maintenance costs, while still requiring facilities to contract with phone service providers following state procurement rules. The bill specifically prohibits facilities from accepting commissions or imposing additional fees beyond the provider's base rate, ensuring calls remain free for both parties. It applies to all State and private facilities (county facilities are addressed separately in the current law) and includes provisions for international calls at no charge for inmates in these facilities. The policy change directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by removing financial barriers to communication.

Maddy summaryAJR 41 designates March 10 as "Social and Emotional Learning Day" in New Jersey to highlight the importance of integrating evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) into schools, organizations, and communities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through activities that promote SEL competencies like emotional management, empathy, and responsible decision-making. It references New Jersey’s Clayton Model Pilot Program as an existing SEL initiative supporting students, teachers, and families. This is a ceremonial designation with no new funding, regulations, or mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.